Treatment of breast cancer in Accra: 5 year survival
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Date
2001-06
Authors
Baako, B.N.
Badoe, E.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Medical Journal
Abstract
We studied 145 patients most of them with locally
advanced breast cancer (LADC) disease over an 8-
year period to assess two-and-five-year survival
using currently available treatment modalities.
All patients were given Tamoxifen. Combination
chemotherapy-adriamycin based was given to those
who could afford it. They all underwent mastectomy
and axillary clearance whenever possible.
The incidence of the disease peaked at the ages 35 -
45years and above G5ycars. There was a prolonged
time interval between awareness of lump and presentation
at hospital. Two-and-five-year overall survival
(OS) and disease-free survival (OFS) were
63.9%; 25.3% and 54.2%; 19.3% respectively irrespective
of the treatment modality. A significant
advantage of treatment with chemotherapy over no
chemotherapy was observed in the 2year disease-free survival group (p"'0.0039). Mortality within
the first IWO years of treatment was highest in patients
who failed to respond to chemotherapy.
We concluded that this is a poor result and that
public health measures to create awareness, promote
early detection and encourage early presentation
are some of the ways to reduce mortality from
breast cancer disease in this country.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Breast cancer, Locally advanced, survival, (LADC) disease